A national study says U.S. traffic congestion is down 30 percent, but U.S. 280 drivers in metro Birmingham probably won't believe that. (The Birmingham News file/Mark Almond)

Tell this to the drivers on U.S. 280.

A national traffic scorecard reports that traffic congestion has decreased nationally by 30 percent from 2010 to 2011. The INRIX, a provider of traffic information, study found 70 of the country's top 100 metropolitan areas reported drops in congestion.

Blame it on the economy, the report said.

Birmingham metro was down 38.5 percent from April 2011 to April 2012, according to INRIX.

Nationally, drivers still sit in gridlock more than 40 hours a year and waste over 60 hours annual on traffic clogged roads, reports INRIX.

Help moving: June is the top moving month in the U.S. Last year the federal motor carrier division of the U.S. DOT received 2,851 complaints about household goods movers -- up from 2,440 in 2010. Among the most common consumer complaints are shipments being held hostage; loss, damage or delay of shipments; unauthorized movers; and deceptive practices such as overcharges.

There are more than 5,662 moving companies registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is offering a free moving checklist at www.ProtectYourMove.gov

"Household goods are precious cargo for families across the country, representing so many important memories and milestones," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This new checklist will give consumers the tips they need to protect their move and make good decisions when selecting a moving company."

Consumers can report poor performing moving companies at FMCSA's complaint hotline at 1-888-368-7238 or at www.ProtectYourMove.gov

No Live Chat today: Driving Miss Crazy is gallivanting around the countryside collecting traffic data, of course. Join her next Monday with your comments, gripes and complaints about metro traffic.

Bumper snicker: Put politicians on minimum wage.

Comment: Blogger's comment about a woman reporting in a recent column how she was almost hit when stopping at a red light on U.S. 31. Sounds like drivers in Vestavia need to back off and pay attention to the car in front of them. When the brake lights come on, they probably might think about stopping. Following too closely is a ticketable offense. If you have to swerve to avoid rear- ending someone who is slowing for a yellow light (which by the way, is how you are supposed to react to a yellow: yellow cautions the driver to prepare to stop at the intersection), you are doing it wrong. I'm not sure how bad drivers exacerbate the traffic camera controversy though.

Q. Have Shelby County planners given any consideration to straightening out the zigzag intersection of Shelby County 22 and 12 east and west near the new Calera Middle School? This intersection is often a mess during morning hours now. What kind of nightmare it will become once the new school opens in the fall is any one's guess. With an ever-increasing number of homes being built around the school, do county officials have any idea how congested this area is going to become within the next few months? -- Philip Hubbard, Indian Springs.

A. Yes. Shelby County Engineer Randy Cole said his office has discussed this situation with the owners of the property that would be required to make a four-way intersection at this location. The owners have plans to develop the property in the future, Cole said. "Any realignment would likely take place as a part of their development. Otherwise, the cost to acquire right of way and rebuild the intersection would be cost-prohibitive." he added.

Q. Traveling I-59 north in Trussville at the Deerfoot Parkway exit, those who are turning left onto Deerfoot Parkway often do not yield to those traveling from Happy Hollow Road to the entrance ramp to I-59 North. I believe it would be beneficial to have a sign posted at this traffic light that reads "Left Turn Yield on Green" as a reminder. -- Sherri Griffis, Trussville.

A. Jefferson County Traffic Engineer Ken Boozer said the signals at Happy Hollow Road and the I-59 northbound off-Ramp do not have left turn phases. "The “Left Turn Yield on Green” sign is typically used to supplement traffic control for a protected/permissive left turn. It is understood that left turning traffic yields to through traffic, "Boozer said.

"However, given the disproportional amount of traffic turning left from the ramp compared with the through traffic from Happy Hollow Road, I can understand the complaint," he added. "We will count the traffic and investigate to see if signal operation changes are justified."